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NEW YEAR'S SERMON, 



DELIVERED IN 



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ON THE 



IIKNT SAHBAIT1 li\ JANl'AICY, 1838. 



BY REV. JACOB 2.ISTIB, A. IK. 

PASTOR OF THE COMORK1 A TIONA L CtirKCH. 



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POINTED U V C D T Ii E K A N 1> IMLSK L' R V 

79 North High Street, 
1 838. 






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NEW YEAR'S SERMON. 



Take ye the sum of all the Congregation. 

Numbers, i. 2. 

The days and weeks of 1837, have swiftly passed away. They 
are now numbered with the dead. Agreeably to the custom of former 
years, to-day I call them back again to life for a review. 

" 'Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours, 
And ask them what report they bore to heaven, 
And how they might have borne more welcome news.' 1 

A watchman in Israel should, once a year, set a moral mirror before 
the face of his people. Twelve months is long enough to accumulate 
many unsightly spots, which, unless they are seen, will not be remov- 
ed. Let it be ever so unpleasant, safety requires us to see ourselves as 
we are. If the lines of beauty and deformity are drawn with strict 
regard to truth, we may be humbled by seeing our defects, and en- 
couraged by the goodness of God. Ten year's experience has shown 
us that the truths of new-vear's sermons, do little harm and much 
good. 

In this place, I usually mention a few things of a public nature. 
Our Nation has raised to the vice presidency, the man who could be 
the father of colored children, and scoffingly write down the Sabbath. 
The government have another year hired many thousands, in carrying 
and opening the mail. Public opinion requires those who have the 
control of boats and public houses, to be sufficiently destitute of moral 
principle, to sell ardent spirits. These, with stage drivers, the owners 
of stock in public conveyances, and the most of those with whom we 
trust our property, our friends, and our lives, when from home, must be 
men who can live in the open violation of the Sabbath. Time was, 
when those offices required nothing but what could be done by men of 
conscience. We talk about a country whose emoluments are equally 
open to all. This is not true, unless all are equally destitute of con- 
science. The past year, the groans of two millions in bonds, have as- 
1 



^ 



cended to heaven, and a minister of the gospel has been killed by four 
bullets passing through his body, while defending his press. Our ava- 
ricious hand still presses hard on the red man. We seize his land, and 
to deprive him even of the comforts of exile, his people are crowded 
into a miserable boat, and then drowned by the hundred in the dead of 
the night. 

In the church, the past year has been one of controversy. The 
division in the Presbyterian church, and that on the subject of slavery, 
have agitated the public mind. Revivals of religion have been few, 
and the money pressure has retarded the benevolent institutions. 

Our State follows up the sins of the nation. Our laws oppress the 
colored man. We have laws against gambling, profanity, and Sabbath 
breaking; but how many, even of our legislators break them. Our 
sea ports, lakes, great river, and five hundred miles of canal, are places 
where the Sabbath is violated by the sanction of public authority. As 
an item of good, the State has erected a Lunatic Asylum, and prepared 
the materials for another, for the Blind. 

In proceeding to the religious history of the township, I shall imitate 
Moses, and take the sum of all the congregation. 

The book of Numbers and other large portions of Scripture, are occu- 
pied with statistics. It would be easy to show that God has answered 
very important purposes by this part of the Bible. The science of 
figures in religion as well as in the world, is more and more needed to 
aid, and give definite views to the progress of the Redeemer's kingdom. 
Holiness to the Lord is to be inscribed on this science, and it will be 
powerful to pull down the strong holds of Satan. 

Vices in the township. In former years, I had occasion to mention 
balls, mobs, and other out-breaking sins, which I am happy to say, come 
not within the history of the past year. Still the tide of iniquity flows 
broad and deep. — 250 adults* dare take God's name in vain. — 437 visit, 
work, or journey on the Sabbath. — 260 habitually desert the house of 
God. — 112 families use, as a drink, ardent spirits. We have 16 drunk- 
ards, one distillery, and three or four places where poison may be bought 
as a beverage, and have consumed more than 1000 gallons the past 
year. — 846 adults are not professors of religion, and most of them have 
no hopes that they are Christians. To remedy these evils, I place first, 
Temperance Societies. Two years ago, these contained 1440 mem- 
bers, 1000 in the township. Once the past year, efforts were made to 
procure new signatures, but probably more have removed than have 

* 1 «»« th« word adult as embracing all person* over 11 years of age. 






joined. The Society lliut abstains from all that can intoxicate, contains 
300. Of our 348 families, 230 use no ardent spirits. About seven 
years ago, the church adopted a rule to receive to our communion, none 
but such as would bind themselves to abstain from the use and traffic in 
ardent spirits. Three aged people are the only persons in the church 
who are not pledged to entire abstinence. This makes the church a 
temperance society of more than 400 members, who will be likely to 
live up to their pledge. We once suspended a member from the church 
for selling whisky. 

The Maternal Association consists of 70 members, and 160 children. 
They read 24 " Mother's Magazines," which are well circulated. It is 
one of the best attended, and most useful institutions in the place. 

Sabbath Schools in connection with this congregation, have, the past 
year, been instructed in ten different places; embracing 05 teachers, and 
402 scholars. This includes the infant school, and two over the town- 
ship lines. We have had no schools the past year in the north-east 
and south-east corners of the township. In former years, I have re- 
ported some who went out as Sabbath school missionaries. I am 
sorry, that to-day, I can report none such, and no increase to the library. 
The scholars under 14 years of age, are required to commit the appoint- 
ed lessons. The number of those who have committed the appointed 
lessons * is 74 — more than one fifth of the whole. I read these names, 
to let the children know that the superintendent, minister, and all will 
take notice when they do well. 

The Bible Class the past year has been attended only in town, and as 
formerly, has embraced only adults. — 154 have attended ; little more 
than half as many p.s when the classes in the districts were attended. — 78 
from the time of their joining the class, have attended twenty or more 
recitations, and 4 are supposed to be without hopes. — 48 have attended 
fifty or more lessons, and 3 are without hopes ; 18 have attended one 
hundred or more, and 1 is without hope. Neglecting the classes on 
the streets the past year, is a very serious evil. The whole number 
who have studied the Word of God the past year, through the medium 
of the Bible class, and the Sabbath school, is 556. The catechism has 
been recited on the Saturday following each of the four Sacraments. 
Several have recited through the Assembly's Shorter catechism. 

The School Teachers, furnished by the township the past year, are 
60 ; of whom 48 are professors of religion, and about the same number 
prayed in school. This congregation furnished from 40 to 50 teachers. 

* Tl'.eir name? wee rend. 



More than 40 different persons have taught the schools of the township, 
and most of them have exerted a decidedly good religious influence. 
All but two or three of 16 or 18 teachers, within about a mile, are pro- 
fessors of religion. They have under their care more than 500 scholars. 
Our Classical School has embraced 30 professors of religion, and 20 
school teachers. Our Female Academy has contained 74 professors of 
religion, and 39 school teachers. Both of these, with the primary 
school, have shared in the revival. — 15 adults in the township have not 
learning enough to read the Bible ; but none of these are natives of the 
place. 

Periodical papers. The township has taken, the past year, 694, 
emanating from 120 presses ; 391 of these are religious, of which this 
congregation take 288. 

Eelio-ious Tracts. The monthly distribution has been continued 
the past year, but not with the same vigor as in some former years. — 
The church made a present of 500 copies of " Baxter's Call," to the im- 
penitent of the township ; the distribution of which, was finished early 
in the year. During the summer, Mr. Wood sold among us 1000 
volumes of the Society's publications ; and from 75 to 100 " Dodridge's 
Expositors" have been taken by the people. A member of the church 
has twice called on the 146 families of Liberty township, and distribu- 
ted 8000 or 9000 pages of Tracts. He found but one family who re- 
fused them. There was, last summer, but one district school, and no 
Sabbath school. I have now, for the first time, obtained some facts in 
regard to reading the Bible. We have 307 souls between the ages of 
12 and 21 — 48, or about one-sixth, have read the Bible through in 
course. 

Public worship. This township contains 1,992 souls, only 129 
more than it did five years ago ; 1,414 are adults, of whom 1,154 attend 
worship. One street has 71 adults, all but one of whom visit the 
house of God. The number that habitually neglect public worship is 
260 — 100 less than it was five years ago. Fifteen hundred dollars 
has much improved the meeting-house, and added 100 sittings below. 
Still families and individuals have come to the place who would attend 
worship with us, could they secure a slip. I hope the present singing 
school will make amends for what we have lost by the omission of last 
winter. My health has been such, that I have lost no Sabbath the past 
year, and my brother supplying during my absence in the summer, you 
have not been left destitute a single Sabbath. In former new-year's ser- 
mons, I have, in this connection, mentioned the number of doctrinal ser- 
mons added to my course. The past two years, I have only added a few 



sermons on the subjects and mode of Baptism. Owing lo absence, and 
the revival, I have had much less system and study than would other- 
wise have been for your advantage. 

Social meetings. The church have supported from 1 5 to 20 of these 
through the year. Some of these are concerts, conferences, inquiry 
meetings, maternal association, male and female prayer meetings in 
town, and on the streets. A little band of the church have met through 
the year, on the floor over the inquiry meeting, to pray for its success. 
Pastoral visitation. My standing promise is, to visit all who visit 
me at the house of God. — 170 families worship in this house, about 20 
of which are over the township lines. I have visited nearly or quite all 
these the past year, and my brother visited many families. Ten years 
ago, when the church was 100, something like justice could be done to 
this very important part of ministerial duty ; but now it cannot receive 
the attention it merits. 

Family worship. Of 348 families, 158 attended family worship; of 
which 103 are in our connection; 10 began this year. It "was once 
before stated in a new-year's sermon, that one of the males of the 
church, the head of a family, did not maintain family worship ; the re- 
ports mention two, this year. 

The Church. There are 212 souls in the township who were bap- 
tized in infancy, who are not known to have hopes that they are Chris- 
tians. But 33 of these have arrived to the age of 14. When we con- 
sider what a proportion of our 1414 adults were baptized in infancy,. 
this is a remarkable fact. The township has 568 who belong to 
churches, leaving 846 that do not ; 28 other persons have been mem- 
bers of churches. The number of this class of persons has decreased 
one half within five years. The town has 505 adults — 244 professors 
of religion. The proportion of professors of religion would be greater, 
did we omit the scholars from abroad, and reckon only permanent citi- 
zens. 

The Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, and Whitfield Methodists, 
have, in the township, 211 members. Our church has dismissed the 
past year 19 ; 2 have died, and 1 has been suspended, and by confession 
restored. There has been added by profession, 80 — 42 males, and 38 
females, and 9 by letter ; in all, 89. This will make the present num- 
ber 415. If we add to these, 10 who have taken letters, but not yet 
united with other churches, and who, in fact, are yet under our care, 
our number will be 425. Of these, 357 are within the township lines, 

and 100 in town. The names of the dismissed, are (Names 

omitted.) The following have seldom if ever worshipped with us, the 



6 

past year.— (Names omitted.) In all, 18. One of these last, is on a 
foreign Mission, another is sick, and a third lives where there is no 
church yet organized. 

But we feel extremely sorry that others should go from us and not take 
letters, and join where they live. Besides scholars, there are, in this place, 
as many as 20 who belong to churches, who have not presented their 
letters, and we have another 20 abroad, making 40 members who stand 
between us and other churches of the same denomination. It is our 
business to look after those who go from us, and neglect their duty. 
This is the more important, as so many emigrate from us. At one time, 
•luring two years, we lost 76 members, mostly by dismission to the 
west. Some have gone from us, acted important parts in other church- 
es, and done us, and the cause, honor. Others have gone away, and by 
si Hiding aloof from the churches, have injured us and themselves. 

I hope these remarks may be felt, by those who may remove in 1838. 
I do not wish them to apply to the scholar, who merely goes or comes 
for a term. Of the late revival, we have received but two scholars 
from abroad. 

The adult baptisms the past year have been 28 — infant, 36 ; in all, 
64. The oldest member of the church is Lewis Sturges, aged 81. 
One is 9, another 11, and several 12 years of age. 

The Moral Reform Societies have 133 males, 138 females — in all, 
271. They read 37 papers. 

The Anil- Slavery Socielies have 83 males, 37 females — in all 120. 
They read 45 papers. Anti-slavery notices have been read in public, 
prayer has been offered for the oppressed in our social meetings, and the 
cause of the colored man has been discussed in our meeting-house and lec- 
ture room. Early in the year, I called the church together, to express 
their feelings. In March, I" came out" in more than XX articles. I 
adopted the doctrines of the Anti-slavery constitution, but expressed 
fears lest our strong sympathy for many leading Abolitionists who em- 
brace lax notions of theology and learning, might lead us to adopt per- 
manent errors, that would remain after the discussion on the subject of 
slavery was ended. In addition to these two meetings, we have had 
eight lectures and two sermons by Mr. Weed — two county Anti-slavery 
meetings — two Colonization meetings, and one in behalf of the " Wil- 
berforce colony." Besides concerts, this will make 17 meetings in be- 
half of the colored man — generally very long, and all without disturb- 
ance. When party feeling ran high, I replied to those who wished me 
to preach on the subject, that " as soon as the fever was off, I would ad- 
minister tonics. I intended to handle the elements as soon as they were 



sufficiently cool." When I came out, I mentioned preaching a course 
of sermons. A vote of the county meeting urges the same duty, which 
by this time, I would gladly perform. The county Society, certainly, 
do not wish to take away the pastor's prerogative of timing things ac- 
cording to his best judgment. 

I was absent in the summer ; the revival has occupied my attention in 
the fall. After you have heard as much as I should put into 30 or 40 
sermons, with the State convention in expectation, it would have crush- 
ed all sympathy for the slave, to have crowded another series of discour- 
ses on slavery into 1837. It will become me, if I ever get the floor, not 
to speak as lecturer, but as pastor, administering both reproof and advice 
to all parties. Had I space now to begin, it is doubtful, whether I feel 
kind enough to do the thing in the best manner, and whether either party 
are prepared to hear their faults with a Christian temper. It is my so- 
ber conviction that I am in advance of both parties in this region ; and 
I burn for an opportunity to get the floor, under circumstances favora- 
ble to telling all I believe, and all I feel. 

Monies paid to various objects. Tract Society, $430 00. Am. 
B. C. F. M., $ 402. Am. Ed. Society, $260. Maternal Association, 
$20. Colored Schools, $73. Am. S. S. Union, $56. Col. Society, 
$12. Mor. Ref. Soc, $33. A. II. M. Soc, $146. Anti-slavery Soc. 
$214. Oberlin College, $100. Wilberforce Colony, $87. Meeting- 
house repairs, $1000. Boarding-house, (part by obligations against 
individuals,) $6,500. Total, $9,333 00. 

Some of these items were not entirely paid by our own denomina- 
tion. And the past has been a year when others have contributed 
largely to their own objects. The subscription to the meeting-house ot 
$1400, was raised in two days. 

Deaths. During the past year, 35 have died — 13 adults — 22 chil- 
dren. About one third of the deaths were by the measles. In January 
died 2, February 1, March 1, April 2, May 4, June 7, July 5, August 
4, September 3, October 4, November 1, December 1. 

The church has some years lost 5,. 7, and one year 11. The past 
yea», it has lost but two. The town plat has a population of 660, and 
no person died from April 1836 to April 1837. 

Progress of society for ten years. Ten years ago this day, I 
preached my first new year's sermon in Granville. The effect was 
what it would be any where. I was not believed. Till men count 
numbers, they will never believe that the statistics of vice, of death 
and other things are as large as they are. As 1 shall not be likely to 
preach a half, nor even a quarter century sermon, I will here mention 



8 

some of the results of the past ten years. During this time, our popu- 
lation has increased only 208, little more than the scholars from abroad* 
It was stated ten years ago* that we had 6 distilleries, 40 drunkards, 
and drank 10,000 gallons of ardent spirits. Even church members 
took loads of grain to the distillery, and brought home barrels of whisky 
to keep their families healthy and good natured. 

Through the instrumentality of Temperance Societies, the consump- 
tion of ardent spirits has diminished nine tenths. .Ten years ago, we 
paid $500 for balls. For two or three years past, I think we have not 
had any. Many that were then profane swearers, drunkards, and Sab* 
bath breakers are now members of churches and living exemplary lives ; 
but as the preceding statistics show, these items of vice are still fright- 
fully large. The Bible Society was formed in 1817, Missionary Asso- 
ciations in 1827, and all the other benevolent institutions since that 
time. In 1827, all denominations were united in one Sabbath school 
of 20 teachers, and 140 scholars. Now each of the four societies has 
its own Sabbath school ; and the one connected with this church has 60 
teachers and more than 400 scholars. 

The Bible Class began with 60 adult youths ; and increased, till, for 
two or three years, it numbered between 200 and 300 scholars — 248 
have attended twenty or more recitations, of whom 14 entered the class 
with, and 20 are now without hopes; leaving 214 to have entertained 
hopes during the ten years. Many others became hopefully pious, 
who attended a shorter time — 79 attended between fifty and one hun- 
dred recitations, and 32 over one hundred. Of those who attended 
between twenty and fifty lessons, one in every 12 is without hope. 
Of those who have attended over 100, one in 32 is without hope. 

In 1827, 51 families were without a Bible. The destitute have been 
supplied every year since. The township furnished in 1827, 45 school 
teachers, of whom, 6 prayed in school. In 1832, five years ago, 56 
teachers, of whom, 35 prayed in school. The past year, 60 teachers, 
of whom, 48 prayed in school. 

The township took in 1827, 26 religious periodicals. In 1832, 143. 
In 1837, 391. Professors of religion in the township in 1827,*260. 
In 1832, 440. In 1837, 568. Praying families in 1827, 89. In 
1832, 166. In 1837, 158. The number of the church in 1827, 115. 
In 1832, 338. In 1837, 425. Infant baptisms during the ten years, 
266. Adults, 114. Total, 380. 

There are now of the original members, who were formed in Massa- 
chusetts, thirty-one years ago, seven in the church, are still living. Of 
those who were re-or^anized into the church in 1827, 68. Such as re- 



main in this church of the revival of 1808, 16 — that of 1822, 9— « 
that of 1828, 47 — that of 1831, 63 — and that of 1837, 74. 

For the last ten years, the church has dismissed 137, suspended 4, 
and excommunicated 2 — 46 have died, 11 gone to other churches, and 
12 come from them to us. We have received by letter, 102 — by pro- 
fession, 354. In all, 456. We have examined no person till the third 
month after conversion, nor received any till the fourth. During these 
five revivals of the last ten years, the alarm has echoed from various 
quarters, — " They will soon turn back." By this time of day, we 
have some facts on the subject. Mr. Nettleton, speaking of New 
England revivals, once said, fewer apostates join the church from them, 
than from those coming in at other times. This was said before the 
birth of high pressure measures. Of the six suspended and expelled 
in ten years, three suppose they were converted in other connections. 
This will leave three from the addition of 354 members. If faithful 
discipline required us to double the number, it would still be small. 

To see what God has done for us, we have only to go back ten years 
and see what was then the condition of these windows, doors, slips, 
stoves, bell, lecture room, schools, and this people. We then met, a 
part of the time, in a school-room on the Sabbath; and a parlor was 
sufficient for the conference. For a few years past, it is believed, that 
not so many as five constant attendants on public worship for five years, 
who are 21 years of age, can be found, who are not hopeful con- 
verts. 

The Deaths in the township, were, in 1827, 24 — 1828, 24 — '29, 22 
— '30, 23— '31, 22— '32, 28— '33, 19— '34, 85— '35, 37— '36, 39— 
'37 35 — total 358 ; between 32 and 33 per year. No scholar from 
abroad has yet died. I have ascertained the mortality of four inland 
towns in New-England, and it is greater than this, if we except 1834, 
which was the sickly year. 

Ministerial trials. I can only have time to bring to your remem- 
brance ten subjects, which, in as many years, have filled up my days 
and nights with care and solicitude. 

The division in the church, commenced previous to 1827, and was 
not healed for two or three years after. 

Arminianism, which remained more or less in the church down to 
the time the eight sermons were preached on predestination. 

Infant Baptism was neglected, and the example of the officers of the 
church was pleaded. 

Fashionable amusements, shielded the youth from seriousness and 
were countenanced by most of the parents. 
2 



10 

Hasty admission to the church was the practice approved by the 
church, till after 1828. 

Our Temperance Society, being the oldest iu the region, if not this 
side the mountains, had to struggle with public opinion. 

Camp meetings and kindred measures. 

Obstacles in erecting the Academy. 

These things have now passed, and there is but one opinion among 
us respecting them. We are still exposed to difficulties arising from the 

The division of the Presbyterian Church, and the 

Controversy on Slavery. 

My trials on these ten things have been what none but a pastor can 
appreciate. The breaking of my windows in 1828, cost me nothing, 
in comparison with my labor, care, and anxiety, to unite the church, to 
lead it unitedly into temperance and other good things, to avoid the 
evils which threatened it, and to keep it separate from alloy. Some- 
times I have stood against the views of the whole church, some- 
times half, and at others, I have not been so certain that T was right, as 
both parties were that I was wrong. More than once I have felt certain 
that a little haste, or a false step, would throw things back five years. 
In the temperance cause, and often when I most felt my weakness, I 
felt strong enough to divide the church, and throw things back to 1827. 
I have not prayed enough, but I have planned and toiled as much as poor 
human nature would bear. When I review those trials and dangers Ave 
have passed, I am surprised at the present peace and prosperity of this 
church ; and the only reason I can give for it is, hitherto the Lord hath 
helped us. 



NUMBERS i. 2. 



Take ye the sum of all the Congregation. 

This command, authorised Moses and other inspired men to intro- 
duce into the word of God, a large quantity of statistics. From this, 
I infer the propriety of setting before the people, once a year, a statisti- 
cal view of their moral condition. The discourse this afternoon, will 
include the account of the revival, remarks on the statistics of the fore- 
noon, and the obituaries of such church members as have died the past 
year. 

The Revival. The best time to judge of the character of revivals, is 



11 

by looking at their effects when they are past. You enjoyed a great 
revival in 1808, two years after the settlement of the place; another 
in 1818 ; a third in 1822 ; and live during the time I have heen your 
pastor — in all, 8. 

The revival of 1828 lasted a year, and added to the church 79 — on 
one Sabbath 46. The revival of 1831, lasted six months, and added to 
the church 100 — G7 in one day. The revival of 1832 added to the 
church 25. The revival of 1834 added 24. The revival of 1837 has 
thus far added 74 in one day. 

We gave some facts in the forenoon as to the character of these mem- 
bers. Take from the church all that these revivals have added, and 
you will take away the men who support prayer meetings, objects of 
benevolence, build the academy, boarding house, and are the ground 
work and preparation of future revivals. At the commencement of the 
year, there was much of the remains of the alienation on the slavery 
question. The church came together and expressed their feelings — the 
ladies unite .1 the two societies which had acted as rivals ; the two par- 
ties were addressed, and requested to yield certain points, which was 
cheerfully done. Six or seven sermons were preached on brotherly love. 
These things and others of the kind, produced a general cordiality of 
feeling. A kw individuals were disposed still to live in a state of irri- 
tation ; but this has never been true of the church at large. Inquiry 
meetings were held every Monday evening through the year — conver- 
sions occurred from time to time, but more frequently towards fall. 
The services of the Sabbath during the summer were well received, 
and had a good effect, on what appeared afterwards. It was mentioned 
in the new year's sermon, two years ago, that the impenitent were more 
numerous in the house of God than they had been since 1830; and 
they have been increasing all the past year. 

In addition to the present, to the unconverted, of 500 Baxter's Call, 
and the distribution of 1000 evangelical volumes of the Tract Society, 
there was an unusual spirit of prayer for the Sabbath school children. 

Previous to the September sacrament, it was thought the state of 
things would warrant our holding a meeting longer than the usual pre- 
paratory lecture. After all that had passed in the country of various 
descriptions of measures where revivals seem merely to burn over the 
land and produce little or no good, we were at a loss what course to 
take. We were fearful of teaching the people to put too great a value 
on extraordinary mean;, or to trust in a periodical religion, that goes up 
and down with certain meetings ; these difficulties were felt by the peo- 
ple as well as their pastor. Instead of bringing strangers here to preach 



12 

and kindle foreign fires, it was thought that an internal circulation 
ought to be waked np which would be more likely to last. The preach- 
ing for a Sabbath or two was, that the people should make special efforts 
to prepare themselves for a holy life. One week previous to the meet- 
ing, a private fast day was appointed by the church. A committee of 
thirty, after uniting in prayer, went, two and two, to the houses of all 
the members that day, and conversed and prayed with them. Sunrise 
prayer meetings were appointed in all the districts, a few days previous. 
Before the meeting, which lasted four days, there was a general melting 
of hearts through the church, which showed that they were ready for 
the favor of God. The only evidence of unusual interest, was the crowd 
and great stillness while going to ami from the house of God. About 
twenty had previously attended as inquirers ; and on the second day 
of the meeting, it was hoped others would join them. A definite time 
to begin to serve God was insisted on, and people were urged to make 
that time now. Those who were resolved now to seek an interest in 
Christ, were requested to go to the conference room, and the church to 
remain and pray for them. The choir were requested to sing five verses 
— and at the close of the third my brother was to leave the pulpit as a 
signal for those going to the inquiry meeting, to follow him. The kar 
penitent were entreated to come to a conclusion, whether they would 
now seek religion, while the first three verses were being sung ; and 
the church were requested to pray during the same time that they might 
come to a right conclusion. Here was an interval of unparalleled inte- 
rest ; those that could, sung through the stanzas ; every where was still- 
ness and anxiety. While the souls of parents were agonizing for an 
immediate blessing, the contest going on in the hearts of the impeni- 
tent was discovered by their changing countenances. Perhaps parents 
never more earnestly prayed, or more solemnly \ave their children to 
God. Not having seen a tear till this time, it was doubtful whether 
many would attend the inquiry meeting. When my brother arose, 130 
followed him. Some rose up quickly as if in haste, and suddenly 
started. One young man thrust his head out of the window to prevent, 
being moved by seeing others go out. Now the tears of parents flowed 
in torrents — some waited till the five verses were nearly completed, and 
then started with a kind of violence. The object of this movement 
was to bring halting minds to a decision. The most of these after- 
wards became hopeful converts — some that day, some the next, and some 
several days after ; and some were afterwards awakened. The great 
majority of the conversions took place in the month of September. By 
the middle of October, 100 had expressed a hope. 



Our classical school shared in the revival; but till this time, the 
Ladies' Academy appears not to have been much affected. They had a 
fast day the first week in December, attended by very peculiar effects. 
It was helieved tliat more than 20 that day submitted to God. If we 
except the schools, more than half the converts are males. When the 
number was 80, nearly two-thirds were males. None have been re- 
ceived to the church who began to hope later than September. We can- 
not say how many of those who have since begun to hope, will join the 
church. — 74 have united — 16 began family prayer, and others have be- 
gun to attend public worship. 

One thing in this revival has strikingly reminded me of 1828. In the 
previous difficulties, some violent persons were disposed to say, that God 
would not bless their opponents. When harmony was restored, God 
blessed each party, and all rejoiced that it was so. Some of the same 
sort of things were said in the late disaffection. But God seems tohave 
scattered his blessings without distinction of party lines. Both the chil- 
dren of abolitionists and their opponents are converted. The same thing 
is true of ministers and churches. Dr. Wilson of Athens, and Mr. 
Putnam of Circleville, have had revivals the past year ; and the same 
is true of Mr. Higbie, and Mr. Madison on the other side. When all. 
feel right, God will bless all. 

Another fact in this revival is, the converts are very much composed 1 
of those, well trained at home, and in the Sabbath school. When I 
was saying, in former years, so many were faithful attendants on the 
Sabbath school and Bible class, I was saying, that not far in advance 
there will be a great revival. 

We often read in the papers, that such a man came and preached,, 
and the result was a revival. This preacher only put on the top stone. 
Others, so far as human agency is concerned, laid the foundation and 
built the wall. Had I as gootl records, I could probably make out a& 
favorable results of the Sabbath school, as I made of the Bible class. 

If God grants five more revivals in the next ten years, and I may 
judge the future by the past, I can tell in nine cases out of ten, if not 
nineteen out of twenty, who will be the subjects. They are those 
who obey parents, got the appointed lessons, and exhibit the same 
punctuality in the Bible class and public worship. God has always 
loved to bless this class of persons, and he always will.. Persons thus 
trained, are the most likely to obtain a hope, and the least likely to be 
deceived by a false hope. 

Remarks on the statistics of the forenoon. In addition to what I 
have just said of the Sabbath school and Bible class, I hope in 1838 the 



14 

Bible, catechism, evangelical volumes, ami the religious periodicals, will 
receive due attention. The school teachers who go out this year, should 
feel that they are missionaries to promote religious reading, as well as 
to do all other things that would be implied in watching for souls. Very 
few who were ever constant attendants have deserted public worship ; 
and from what was said in the forenoon, it appears that very few adults 
attend five years without being hopefully converted. Here is another fact 
that I hope will encourage many to make the experiment the next five 
years. 

While I was describing the growth of the church from one revival to 
another, and our collections, some may have felt emotions of pride : if 
so, recollect the Sabbath breakers, profane swearers, and those who neg- 
lect public and family worship, which were enumerated. Let boasting 
be excluded till these dark sins are wiped from our escutcheon. Our 
church has a disproportionate number which cannot be retained without 
the extraordinary favor of heaven. The proportion of our denomination 
is so much less in the country around, that, removals continually dimin- 
ish us. When the revival of 1828 raised the church to 200, we had a pro- 
portionate number — every addition since has made our number more 
and more disproportionate. I do not say this to prove there is not room 
for increase; there are yet materials; our 846 impenitent would make 
two more great churches, without taking one from the others. God is 
able to do still greater things than these — he will bestow as fast as the 
people are ready to receive. 

While a small church need strength for efficient discipline, a large one 
has other difficulties — a man may neglect duty, and hide among the 
multitude — each one may throw the responsibility on the whole, so 
that like the Catholic rule of faith, it is not found in Popes, or councils, 
or any where else. 

When we were small, we were careful of each other's feelings, and 
every where took pains to aid the cause, for it was weak. As numbers 
increase, these feelings pass away, and we feel too strong to be cautious. 
Besides our common enemy, we must be aware that many long to see a 
division among us — some to fatten on the spoils, and others from hatred 
to the cause, long to see the scenes of 1823-2-1,-25 acted over again. 
While we should guard against foes without, we may suffer as much 
from party spirit among ourselves. One more difficulty is, our foreign 
relations. We are Congregationalists — our Articles of Faith were 
formed in Massachusetts in olden time — and we pretend to hold the 
same doctrine and order, that have distinguished am fathers for 300 
years — we believe their principles lay close to the foundation of our free 



15 

government, and the great institutions of benevolence, that are the glory 
of our country. On one side, is the Presbyterian church, which, ten 
years ago, received you under its care. The dominant party in that 
church have laid violent hands on Congregationalism, bringing it into 
disrepute, by writing and speeches. They have proceeded to cut you 
off to cure heresy; and if I do not follow the party in power, I expect 
to be thrown over with the excinded synods within one year. This I 
regret, as I do not wish to trust myself, nor my people alone ; we wish 
not to belong nowhere. 

On the other side we are beset with dangers no less to he dreaded. Ul- 
tra Newschool men have attacked the clergy and doctrines of our father- 
land, laid hold of the name of Congregational, and under it, formed 
churches whose creed has neither election, predestination, or what our 
fathers would call Calvinism. This side, by our treatment from the 
other, lays strong claims to our sympathies. While we are thus passing 
between Scylla and Charybdis, it becomes steersman, sailors and all on 
board, to be united, on the look-out, to use all the wisdom they have, or 
we shall break on the rocks, or be swallowed by the whirlpool. 

On the much disputed question of slavery, I have only to say, I wish 
both parties would examine with all the coolness they can, and see if 
they have not, up to this time, some unchristian and uncharitable feel- 
ings ; and also try to see, if they may not possibly be wrong, at least 
in some things. 

The five hundred scholars in this immediate vicinity, much increase 
the responsibility of this church. How important that we should make 
fashionable a high standard of morals and religion. Where other sects 
out number us, we often complain that the fashion of keeping the Sab- 
bath, and various other things, is not as it should be. Let us not 
deserve the same reproach. Our academies will require all our wisdom 
and energy. Let the wicked one but introduce a division among us, 
and that boarding-house will rot down, unfinished. In looking over 
the events of the past ten years, there should be great mourning for our 
mis-spent time, and great sins ; and great gratitude for the unparalleled 
goodness of God to us as a people. 

Obituaries. While God has been good to us the past year, in send- 
ing us a shower from heaven, he has also been good in sparing our 
lives. Only two of the church have died. One in 200. * Thus we 
bid farewell to our two departed brothers. 

In the past ten years, I have read to you the Obituaries of 46. It is 



A sketch of their lives was read. 




I '■■• 

16 

pleasant to reflect that their sun set iti peace, and that they left a ox>od 
report. Among them was the wisdom of age and the beauty of sanc- 
tified youth. We love to call them back to remembrance. They were 
interested in our social meetings. They sung and prayed with us. 
They have passed the great change, from time to eternity, and are 
awaiting our arrival. What numbers of us will follow them before the 
next ten years have passed away ? 46 will make almost half that were 
then in the church. 

In 1837, the township died at the rate of one in every 56, or one in 
every ten days. The coming year, once in ten days, the name of each 
one will be put in with 2000 others, and one be drawn out for death. 
Time never recedes. We are irresistibly drawn 365 days nearer the 
grave. The bell will every few days toll for one of us. The unseen 
hand of death has not been idle the past year. It will be busy the year 
to come. The moment is fixed when it will strike you and me. Could 
I now call such of your names as will be in eternity next January, with 
what interest should we look at them? How should we think they 
ought to live the months and days, that intervene between this, and the 
appointed hour ? So let us all live the future days of life. 

This is a time to make new resolutions. My impenitent friends ! 
be persuaded to give no more years to sin. What years of guilt are 
now filed against you by the recording angel ! Will you add another ? 
Could those who have died the past year return to day to their former 
seats, how would they urge you to give your heart to God in 1838. 
But you may not live to see it close. I bid farewell to such as will 
never hear another new year's sermon. Others will see another new 
year's sun, and come together to hear you numbered with the dead. 
But you will lie low, and heed it not. 

If you die impenitent, you may then look back to these seats and 
these invitations of the gospel, but it will be too late. Your condition 
will be eternally fixed. Let us now begin a holy life. I consecrate 
myself, my people, my all, to the service of God. Let us begin the 
year by being entirely his; and then, whether living or dying, this will 
be a happy new year.* 

*In the subsequent days of the week, the church meets the pastor in six divisions, viz: those 
over 60, 50, 40, 30, 20 and under 20. Three other divisions meet the same week, viz : those 
who Have hopes — inquirers, and the children. In these meetings, each church member recounts 
tie dealings of God wit!) liim the past year, and hears such advice as the case may require. 



